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Exposure to cough aerosols and development of pulmonary COVID-19

Koen Vanden Driessche1,2, Jeremy Nestele3, Jeroen Grouwels3

  • 1Division of Pulmonology, Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Antwerp, Wilrijkstraat 10, 2650, Edegem, Belgium.

Journal of Breath Research
|October 2, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Coughing may not be the primary source of severe COVID-19 transmission. Talking loudly could generate infectious SARS-CoV-2 aerosols, suggesting new public health strategies like

Area of Science:

  • Respiratory Medicine
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Severe COVID-19 transmission dynamics require further investigation.
  • Understanding aerosol generation is crucial for effective prevention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To test the hypothesis that cough aerosols are the primary source of severe COVID-19 infection.
  • To explore alternative aerosol-generating activities, such as talking, in SARS-CoV-2 transmission.

Main Methods:

  • Patient interviews to determine the source of infection.
  • Analysis of infection transmission pathways in severe COVID-19 cases.

Main Results:

  • A small proportion of patients (14/38 overall, 9/25 hospitalized) identified coughing as the infection source.
  • This finding did not support the initial hypothesis regarding cough aerosols.

Conclusions:

  • Coughing may not be the sole or primary driver of severe COVID-19 spread.
  • Talking, particularly with a loud voice, presents a potential alternative source of SARS-CoV-2 aerosols.
  • Further research into SARS-CoV-2 transmission routes is essential.
  • Exploring 'voice etiquette' as a public health intervention warrants consideration.

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